New York Jets Rumors: Concerns With Dont’a Hightower Physical
New York Jets Rumors: The Jets reportedly made a competitive offer to Dont’a Hightower, but were concerned with his physical and took their offer off the table.
Recent New York Jets rumors revolve around their pursuit of Dont’a Hightower. Prior to re-signing with the New England Patriots on a four-year, $43.25 million, the Jets were reportedly hot on his trial.
A debate can be had whether or not the Jets should be looking to sign Hightower given the state of their roster. But, they looked to have been making a legitimate run at the impact linebacker. At one point, the Jets even looked like the favorites to sign him away from the rival Patriots.
At the very end, the Patriots were able to retain him on a very team friendly deal. Once again the Patriots looked to have fleeced the rest of the NFL, keeping a player well below what seemed like market price. But, it was not for a lack of trying from the Jets.
The Jets actually offered Hightower the most money and security. ESPN New York’s Rich Cimini reported that the Jets offered Hightower a five-year, $55 million deal with a chance to push that up to $62.5 million in earnings.
Why would Hightower turn down such a deal? Because he never actually had a chance to sign it. Piggybacking on Cimini’s report, Albert Beer of the Monday Morning Quarterback and CSN New England reported that the Jets actually pulled their offer to Hightower after concerns arose about his physical.
Jets offer was pulled after physical, so this was a moot point by the time Hightower accepted Pats' offer. https://t.co/jjgiBo73D7
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 17, 2017
If there was anything that worried the Jets in the physical it was smart to pull the offer. There is no doubt that Hightower would have improved their team; he is a premier linebacker in the NFL, performing against the run, as a pass defender and pass rusher. Signing him away from New England would also weaken the Patriots.
But, it sounds like the Jets were weary that Hightower would be able to stay healthy. For how productive he is on the field, he struggles with durability. He has played in all 16 regular season games only once in his five-year career, missing at least two games in every other season.
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There is no doubt that Hightower is a great player, but committing that much money to an injury-prone player with the current state of the Jets roster would make little sense. The Jets are smart to hold onto their money and continue on their current path of rebuilding.